Christmas 2010 - The First Post

We open one present each on Christmas Eve. This year, we decided the Christmas Eve gift would be our stocking gifts from Dad and Jody. Amongst other, more educational and practical gifts in her stocking, Norah got a kazoo.

And she lost it. Best (?) Christmas present ever for a 20 month old?




More posts and pictures coming in the next day or two!

GO PACK GO!

What's that? Football is the best and greatest thing ever? Oh yes. You're quite correct. Thanks for pointing that out.

We got tickets to go see the Packers play the Patriots at home in Gillette Stadium this past Sunday night. It was cold and a little bit snowy, but totally awesome in every way. Our seats were excellent, the people around us weren't too hostile as we cheered for the Pack, and the game ended up being pretty exciting. This might have to be something we start doing every year....

Seven-dollar Bratwurst. Delicious explosion.

Finally...

I'm finally feeling better. MK caught the flu and got sick on Tuesday night. Not good, but he was fortunate enough to only get sick once. I caught the flu and got sick roughly six times early Thursday morning. But my loving husband has allowed me to get a TON of sleep the last couple of days, and I am finally feeling almost normal. WOOT! Just in time to go to the Patriots vs. Packers game. And yes, we will be cheering for the Packers while sitting on the Patriots side.

I uploaded some pictures off of our camera tonight.

Just thought I would share...

One of my favourite pictures, ever.

Norah is obsessed with trying to wear my clothes. All of them.

The second photo is how she looked after a good solid nap.

I am so thankful she is, in general, a good sleeper. Whew.

Another awesome picture. Pretty much sums our kid up.

Second photo - finishing up the tree. Norah was a "big" help. Ha!

Norah loves playing in this kitchen drawer. She is going to be so devastated when she is too big to sit in it. Second photo - Norah hugging Z (a little one who belongs to friends of ours from church. They watch Norah quite often and we watch Z. It's great!).

We love and miss you all.

Sending BIG hugs your way!

Pictures from Grandpa!

I'll still have yet to upload my pictures from Iowa.

And I now realize I have very few pictures of my mom.

Silly me - where was my brain?

Anways, here are some pictures my dad took while I was in Iowa:

This chair used to be mine when I was little. Norah LOVED it!

(Great) Grandma W on Thanksgiving.

I am very thankful for her and all the love she has for my entire family.

Auntie Rod sent some GREAT birthday party materials! So I put them up around the house, made cupcakes, and we had a small (the 4 of us) birthday for my ma.

Norah was most stoked about wearing the party hat. But as you can see, she clearly enjoyed a cupcake as well. The cupcakes were DE-LISH!

Iowa, I miss you.

Oh Iowa, Oh Iowa...

Noteworthy observations and events from the Iowa Trip:

- Norah was an angel on the flights to and from Iowa. As in no crying. At all. We read books, used the iPod Touch flash card application, colored, and slept. Norah did throw a book at a lady sitting next to us on one flight. But to be honest, I can't really blame her.

- Arby's is still delicious. Now if only we could have Arby's in NH.

- Norah quickly warmed up to her Grandma (my ma) and was quite slow in warming up to Grandma (my pops). Grandma and Norah read quite a few books one morning, allowing me to get in a nice long shower. And a few times Norah eagerly gave Grandma goodnight hugs. How precious!

- Without the internet and cable TV I played a crap ton of Bejeweled on the iPod Touch. I also was able to read quite a bit (I'm currently reading "The Red Tent" - SO GOOD).

- Norah LOVES blocks. My dad made a large set of blocks for me when I was growing up. Having Norah play with those same blocks was SO special.

- Grandma Kole (MK's mom, also know as Momma T) and Great Grandma Mabon (MK's grandma) came down for a visit. Most memorable moment: After observing the way Norah's pants were falling off her bum, Grandma Kole stated, "She looks JUST LIKE Marshall!". HAHA! I guess you had to be there...

- Norah was able to see her Great Grandma Wiley (my gma) not once, but TWICE! I love my grandma like crazy...she is one of the best people I know. For the second visit Great Aunt M came down too and gave Norah some wonderful (SANTA-FREE) Christmas books. THANK YOU AUNT M!!!

- Nothing beats my Ma's tater-tot casserole. YUM! Well, maybe Arby's.

- I did not have Dairy Queen. Much sadness.

- I got to see my Iowa bestie, Amy. She made me a pendant with Norah's name on it. Love you bugaboo.

- Norah and I bonded, but we definitely missed our Papa Bear (as I'm pretty sure he missed us too).

- Norah was reunited with her sock monkey once we got to the car at the Boston airport. I'm not sure I've seen her THAT excited in a while. Norah and Monkey talked and giggled almost the whole hour drive home.

Love and miss you all.

Will post pictures soon of our trip!